Explosion transfer device



Oct. 5, 1965 G. WEBB EXPLOSION TRANSFER DEVICE Filed Oct. 5, 1964INVENTOR.

GEORGE WEBB BY 44 flQ M ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,209,692 EXPLOSION TRANSFER DEVICE George Webb,Richmond, Ind., assignor to Avco Corporation, Richmond, Ind, acorporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 401,416 5 Claims.(Cl. 102--70) The present invention relates to explosion transferdevices, and particularly to those of the type which remain sealedduring and after transmittal of an explosion. The present inventionprovides a reliable means for the propagation of a detonation waveacross a physical barrier without rupture of the explosion chamber. Theinvention is of utility in such applications as gas generators, rocketmotors, and fuzing systems.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a safe and reliablemeans of explosion transfer which maintains the isolation of theoriginal charge.

Another object of the invention is to provide means, of the characterdescribed, which is adapted to use in multiple explosive relay systemswhich involve parallel relays, series relays, or combinations thereof.

In accordance with the invention, the input and output charges and thesealed barrier therebetween are shaped in such manner that the inputcharge, operating mechanically across a rigid seal, ignites the outputcharge, while the seal maintains its integrity and continues to functionas a seal.

For a better understanding of the invention, together with other andfurther objects, advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference is madeto the following description of the appended drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are axial sectional views of a preferred embodiment and analternate embodiment, respectively, of explosion transfer device inaccordance with the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred form of explosiontransfer device in accordance with the invention. It comprises agenerally cylindrical metallic housing formed to provide a first, orinput, fitting, and a second, or output, fitting. The input fitting isinteriorly threaded, as indicated at 11, and the output fitting issimilarly threaded, as indicated at 12, the fittings being aligned andthe metallic housing 10 being formed as to provide a central wall 13between them. The output face of wall 13 is formed to define a recess orconcavity 14, which is in communication with the input face via achannel 15. An explosive input charge 16 is disposed in this recess. Aseal between input and output charges is formed by a metallic barriermember 17, which is a disk-like seal provided with a hollow centralprotuberance projecting into the input charge 16 and the recess 14.Disposed within this protuberance is an output charge 18. The inputcharge is detonated by a series arrangement of means comprising a first,or input, fuse 19 and an input relay 20, the latter being disposedadjacent port 15. The FIG. 1 combination further comprises meansdetonated by the output charge, and this means comprises a second relay21 and a second fuse 22, the relay 21 being disposed between the outputcharge 18 and fuse 22.

A first plug 23 is formed concentrically to carry the elements 19 and20, and is threaded into threads 11. A second plug 24 is formedconcentrically to carry the elements 21 and 22, and it projects into thesecond fitting, being threaded onto the threads 12. O-rings 25 and 26are suitably positioned in frontal annular shoulders formed on the facesof the plugs 23 and 24, respectively, to gas-tightly seal theperipheries of the plugs.

The mild detonation fuse 19 initiates relay 20, so that the highexplosive input charge 16 is detonated, slightly compressing the barrier17. The output charge 18, contained within the protuberance of thebarrier member, is pinched under the increased pressure generated by thedetonation of the input charge. Accordingly, the output charge isdetonated. Output charge 18 initiates relay 21, and mild detonation offuse 22 continues propagation through the system. Gas generated forwardof the output face is barred from rearward flow by barrier member 17,and O-ring 26 is located at a point where distortion of the barriermember is at a minimum.

In FIG. 2 there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of the inventionhaving a cone-shaped protuberance on the barrier. In FIG. 2 referencenumerals identical with those of FIG. 1 are utilized to refer toidentical elements, and reference numerals primed refer to similarelements.

In FIG. 2 the output charge is placed in a generally conically shapedprojecting portion of the barrier 17'. The angle is such that the charge18' is placed in compression by detonation of the input charge 16, whichis located in a complementary and generally conically shaped recess 14in housing 10.

The inventive combination is in essence a form of relay, a form which isreadily miniaturized and which readily lends itself to use in multiplesequence.

It will be understood that, in accordance with the invention, there hasbeen provided the combination of a divider having input and outputfaces, the output face being formed to define a recess which is incommunication with the input face; an input charge disposed in saidrecess; a metallic barrier member formed as a disk-like seal having ahollow walled protuberance projecting into said input charge and saidrecess; and an output charge within said protuberance.

While there have been shown and described what are at present consideredto be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understoodby those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1 claim: 1. An explosion transfer device which remains sealed during andafter high energy transfer, comprising:

a generally cylindrical metallic housing formed to provide first andsecond aligned screw-threaded fittings having a central walltherebetween, said central Wall having input and output faces, theoutput face of said central wall being formed to define a recess whichis in communication with the input face;

an input charge disposed in said recess;

a metallic barrier member formed as a disk-like seal having a hollowcentral protuberance projecting into said input charge and said recess;

an output charge within said protuberance;

means for detonating said input charge, comprising a first fuse and afirst relay disposed between the input face and said fuse;

means detonated by said output charge, comprising a second fuse and asecond relay disposed between said output charge and said second fuse;

a first plug formed concentrically to carry said first fuse and relayand threaded into the first of said fittings;

a second plug formed concentrically to carry said second fuse and relayand projecting into the second of said fittings to press said barriermember against said output face;

and O-ring means for gas-tightly sealing the peripheries of said plugs.

2. An explosion transfer device which remains sealed during and afterhigh energy transfer, comprising:

a generally cylindrical metallic housing formed to provide first andsecond aligned fittings having a central wall therebetween, said centralwall having input 1% and output faces, the output face of said centralwall being formed to define a concavity which is in communication withthe input face, said concavity and said housing having a common centrallongitudinal axis;

an input charge disposed in said concavity;

a single metallic barrier member formed as a disk-like seal having ahollow central continuous projection extending axially into said inputcharge and said concavity;

an output charge within said projection;

means for detonating said input charge;

means detonated by said output charge;

a first plug formed to carry said detonating means and secured into thefirst of said fittings;

and a second plug formed to carry said detonated means and secured intothe second of said fittings to press said barrier member against saidoutput face.

3. In an explosion transfer device which remains sealed during and afterhigh energy transfer, the combination of:

a divider having input and output faces, the output face being formed todefine a recess which is in communication with the input face, saidrecess and said divider having a common central longitudinal axis;

an input charge disposed in said recess;

a single metallic barrier member formed as a disk-like seal having ahollow walled central continuous protuberance projecting axially intosaid input charge and said recess;

and an output charge within said protuberance.

4. In an explosion transfer device which remains sealed during and afterhigh energy transfer, the combination of:

a divider having input and output faces, the output face being formed todefine a recess which is in communication with the input face, saidrecess and said divider having a common central longitudinal axis;

an input charge disposed in said recess;

a single metallic barrier member formed as a seal having a hollow walledcentral continuous protuberance projecting axially into said inputcharge and said recess;

an output charge within said protuberance;

means for detonating said input charge;

and means detonated by said output charge.

5. An explosion transfer device which remains sealed during and afterhigh energy transfer, comprising:

a generally cylindrical metallic housing formed to provide first andsecond aligned fittings having a central wall therebetween, said centralwall having input and output faces, the output face of said central wallbeing formed to define a recess which is in communication with the inputface, said recess and said housing having a common central longitudinalaxis;

an input charge disposed in said recess;

a single metallic barrier member formed as a disk-like seal having ahollow central continuous protuberance projecting axially into saidinput charge and said recess;

an output charge within said protuberance;

means for detonating said input charge, comprising a first fuse and afirst relay disposed between the input face and said fuse;

said output charge being under initial pressure and responsive topinching of said protuberance to be set off;

means detonated by said output charge, comprising a second fuse and asecond relay disposed between said output charge and said second fuse;

a first plug means formed to carry said first fuse and relay andprojecting into the first of said fittings; and a second plug meansformed to carry said second fuse and relay and projecting into thesecond of said fittings to press said barrier member against said outputface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,601,245 6/52Bowersett 1027O 2,707,438 5/55 Mann et a1 l0227 2,736,263 2/56 Lewis eta1. l0227 SAMUEL FEINBERG, Primary Examiner.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Examiner.

3. IN AN EXPLOSION TRANSFER DEVICE WHIC REMAINS SEALED DURING AND AFTERHIGH ENERGY TRANSFER, THE COMBINATION OF: A DIVIDER HAVING INPUT ANDOUTPUT FACES, THE OUTPUT FACE BEING FORMED TO DEFINE A RECESS WHICH ISIN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INPUT FACE, SAID RECESS AND SAID DIVIDERHAVING A COMMON CENTRAL LONGITUDINAL AXIS; AN INPUT CHARGE DISPOSED INSAID RECESS; A SINGLE METALLIC BARRIER MEMBER FORMED AS A DISK-LIKE SEALHAVING A HOLLOW WALLED CENTRAL CONTINUOUS PROTUBERANCE PROJECTINGAXIALLY INTO SAID INPUT CHARGE AND SAID RECESS; AND AN OUTPUT CHARGEWITHIN SAID PROTUBERANCE.